It’s time for another Producer’s Spotlight and this time we are going more domestic than imported. IMAKEMADBEATS is the first producer from the United States to be featured in this segment and we are really proud to showcase his talents on HHD. He’s worked with some incredibly talented artists but some of his best work can be featured on MidaZ the Beast’s new album, AU: Another Universe. Definitely make sure you check that release out if you have not already. You should also check out IMAKEMADBEATS’ Daylight/Nightlight EPs.
Words From IMAKEMADBEATS
Hello World. My name is IMAKEMADBEATS. I make a lot of beats. I’ve made a lot of kinds of beats, for a lot of people. I’ve produced (and ghost produced) Pop remixes for major label artists, music & soundscapes for TV/Media, but I’m definitely more known for what I love to do most, producing songs/albums for indie/underground rappers. I was born in California, raised in Memphis TN, further taught in Orlando, FL, and rose to whatever it is I am today in Brooklyn, NY. I currently reside back in Memphis. I’m currently working with more artists, primarily MidaZ the Beast and up-n-coming rapper Preauxx from Memphis, TN.
Bio
There are few producers in hip hop that have as much combined skill and mystery attached to their name as IMAKEMADBEATS. The enigmatic, faceless man behind the boards has built his reputation on an obsessive dedication to his craft, a mad scientist-like approach to tweaking samples, drums, and live instruments, and a signature sound that’s put listeners in the emergency room with severely broken necks.
While most people first became aware of IMAKEMADBEATS from his 2009 collaborative project The Transcontinental with Oxnard rhyme-slinger Roc C (a project that featured the likes of Oh No, Rapper Big Pooh, Rakaa Iriscience, and Chino XL), the story of the demented hip hop recluse – also known as NeMo – runs much deeper.
“I’ve been a ‘take it apart and put it back together’ person all my life,” NeMo says. “I spent four years reading manuals to machines that I didn’t even have, just to figure out the science behind them.”
Coming from a musical family as he came of age in both Memphis, Tennessee and Orlando, Florida (commonly referred to by its residents as the Ozone), NeMo found himself consumed by music very early on. “I used to draw track channels on the back of church programs and plot out drum patterns. I used to keep an old crossfader on my keychain so I could practice flares while I was away from home,” he continues. “I became obsessed with music. A lot of times, beats have taken the place of food for me.”
NeMo’s move to New York City would prove instrumental in the development of both his career and the IMAKEMADBEATS persona. After getting his foot in the door with an engineer position at the legendary Quad Studios, hip hop’s best began to take notice of the untapped talent coming from the quiet kid with the crazy big hair. From engineering (Trey Songz, Tyler Perry, Solange Knowles, Jim Jones, and more) to production (Christina Aguillera, Anais, Busta Rhymes, and more), NeMo found various ways to let his creativity open doors for him.
Many of those connections – as well as the success and attention brought on from The Transcontinental (Koch/E1 Records) and its subsequent nationwide Smash Mouf Tour – helped build NeMo’s debut IMAKEMADBEATS become what it is today. The record’s all-star line up features vocals from underground heavyweights such as Black Milk, Hezekiah, Icon the Mic King, Butta Verses, Von Pea (Tanya Morgan), Sabac Red (Non Phixion), and Steele (Smif N Wessun).
Garnering praise from HipHopDX, Okayplayer, XXL Mag (labeled an “XXL Banger”), the Austin Chronicle, and more, The DJ/ producer was given the role of sound provider for one of SXSW’s biggest Hip-hop events featuring Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, Jean Grae, and more.
Later, IMMB was sought out by several companies to score television shows, commercials, movies, and other forms of media. You can now find his music on commercials ranging from DC Shoes to Burger King, and hear his music in several TV shows including True Life and Jersey Shore. With so much on the horizon for this focused and quiet character, it seems like he never plans to stop making noise in this industry.
Hip Hop Dependency 
Yes!